Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/20

 worke a man like Waxe, and draw him like as the Adamant doth the Iron: and hauing once brought him to the bent of their Bow, then ſhee makes requeſt for a Gowne of the new-faſhion Stuffe, for a Petticote of the fineſt Stammell or for a Hat of the neweſt faſhion. Her husband being ouercome by her flattering ſpeech, partly hee yeeldeth to her requeſt, although it be a griefe to him, for that he can hardly ſpare it out of his ſtocke; yet for quietneſſe ſake, hee doth promiſe what ſhee demandeth, partly becauſe he would ſleepe quietly in his Bed. Againe, euery married man knoweth this, that a woman will neuer be quiet, if her minde be ſet vpon a thing, till ſhee haue it. Now, if thou driue her off with delayes, then her fore-head will be ſo full of frownes, as if ſhee threatned to make Clubs Trumpe, and thou neuer a black Card in thy hand: for except a woman haue what ſhe will, ſay what ſhe liſt, and go where the pleaſe, otherwiſe thy houſe will be ſo full of ſmoake, that thou canſt not ſtand in it.

It is ſaid, That an old Dogge and an hungry Flea bite ſore; but in my minde a froward woman biteth more ſorer: and if thou goe about to maſter a woman, hoping to bring her to humilitie; there is no way to make her good with ſtripes, except thou beat her to death: for do what thou wilt, yet a froward woman in her franticke mood will pull, hale, ſweare, ſcratch, and teare all that ſtands in her way.

What wilt thou that I ſay more, oh thou poore married man? If women doe not feele the raine, yet here is a ſhowre comming, which will wet them to the skinnes. A woman which is faire in ſhew, is foule in condition; ſhee is like vnto a Glow-worme, which is bright in the hedge,